By
Pravin K. Shah

Jain Study Center of
North Carolina

Digambar Literature

The Digambar sect believes that there were 26 Agam‑sutras
(12 Ang‑agams + 14 Ang‑bahya‑agams). However, they were gradually lost
starting from one hundred fifty years after Lord Mahavir's nirvana.
Hence, they do not recognize the existing Agam-sutras (which are
recognized by the Swetambar sects) as their authentic scriptures.

In the absence of authentic scriptures, Digambars follow
two main texts, three commentaries on main texts, and four Anuyogs
consisting of more than 20 texts as the basis for their religious
philosophy and practices. These scriptures were written by great Acharyas
(scholars) from 100 to 1000 AD. They have used the original Agam Sutras
as the basis for their work.

Shatkhand‑agam:

The Shatkhand‑agam is also known as Maha‑kammapayadi‑pahuda
or Maha‑karma‑prabhrut. Two Acharyas; Pushpadant and Bhutabali around 160
AD wrote it. The second Purva‑agam named Agraya‑niya was used as the
basis for this text. The text contains six volumes. Acharya Virsen wrote
two commentary texts, known as Dhaval‑tika on the first five volumes and
Maha‑dhaval‑tika on the sixth volume of this scripture, around 780 AD.

Kashay‑pahud or
Kashay-prabhrut:

Acharya Gunadhara wrote the Kasay-pahud. The fifth Purva‑agam
named Jnan‑pravad was used as a basis for this scripture. Acharya Virsen
and his disciple, Jinsen, wrote a commentary text known as Jaya‑dhaval‑tika
around 780 AD.